Magic Circle Club
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television |
| Founded | 23 January 1965 |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Fate | Cancelled due to financial considerations |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Key people | Godfrey Philipp (producer and director), John-Michael Howson (writer, lyricist, performer), Max Bartlett (writer, actor), Bruce Rowland (composer), Brian Thomson (scenic artist), Nancy Cato (host), Liz Harris (host) |
| Products | Children's television program |
Number of employees | Multiple cast and crew members including actors and puppeteers |
The Magic Circle Club was a celebrated Australian children's television program produced by ATV Channel 0 (currently known as ATV-10) that aired from 23 January 1965 until 1967.
The show’s format was inspired by traditional pantomime and timeless fairy tales, incorporating music, original compositions, and choreographed dance numbers. Male performers often portrayed older female roles in the classic pantomime dame tradition.
Under the production and direction of Godfrey Philipp, the series featured numerous scripts and song lyrics penned by John-Michael Howson, while Max Bartlett contributed both as a writer and actor. The musical score was created by Bruce Rowland, with sets designed by scenic artist Brian Thomson.
Nancy Cato—who was related to the author of the same name—served as the initial host. Later, Liz Harris joined the ensemble and took over hosting responsibilities when Cato was temporarily confined to a wheelchair due to paralysis.
In 1966, the show earned the inaugural Logie Award for a children’s program, honored for its Outstanding Contribution To Children's Television.
Characters
The Magic Forest was home to a cast of recurring characters: silent Fredd Bear (portrayed by Tedd Dunn, who also designed costumes); high-pitched Fee Fee Bear (John-Michael Howson); spirited Mother Matilda Hubbard (Fred Tupper, a former radio personality); pragmatic Max (Max Bartlett); Curley Dimples—a character reminiscent of Shirley Temple (Gael Dixon, who also served as choreographer); the mystical Crystal Ball (Gabrielle Hartley) along with her companion Hep Cat (Nola Finn); Marlena DeWitch (Marion Weir); and antagonists Sir Jasper Crookly (Ernie Bourne) alongside his assistant Gaspar Goblin (Colin McEwan).
Frequent guest appearances featured BoBo the clown (Charles "Hal" Turner), Montmorency James Rabbit (Ernie Bourne), Sebastian Bear (Gael Dixon), and Aunty Vale (Bunney Brooke). The duo Twoddle & Boddle—played by Laurie Allen and Bobby Bright from The Go!! Show—acted as counterparts to Tweedledee & Tweedledum. Max Bartlett regularly assumed various guest personas including Harley Quin, King Size of Enchantmentland, innkeeper Simon Sneak, and Claude Clumsy. Ernie Bourne and Colin McEwan often portrayed additional villainous roles. Nancy Cato also appeared as Sweet Nelly in a pirate-themed storyline.
Format
Plotlines were delivered in five-part serials throughout the week, culminating on Fridays with the conclusion of each adventure. Episodes typically ended with the host seated atop a giant mushroom alongside Fredd Bear, sharing letters and artwork submitted by viewers.
Regular segments featured riddles presented by Cassius Cuckoo and limericks recited by Leonardo de Funbird—two puppet characters made from wood and felt by Axel Axelrad and voiced by Colin McEwan. Cassius resided within a cuckoo clock near Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, whereas Leonardo lived inside the IKAN (Instantaneous Knowledge Accumulation Network) computer, voiced by Fred Tupper. After the educational IKAN segment was removed, Leonardo delivered limericks from a tree stump located in the Magic Forest.
Towards the series finale, story arcs were condensed into four-day serials, with Fridays reserved for an independent narrative about toys coming to life inside a toyshop. In this storyline, Liz Harris portrayed a rag doll; Max Bartlett played a tin soldier; and John-Michael Howson took on the role of a melancholy clown—a character that later influenced his part on Adventure Island.
Stage version
A unique episode of the Magic Circle Club titled "The Stolen Smile" was staged live at the Tivoli Theatre beginning 27 December 1965. This narrative featured Sir Jasper and Gaspar expelling Clocko, the chief clown (portrayed by Max Bartlett), along with Spangles, the trapeze artist (played by Gael Dixon), from their circus, stripping Clocko of his smile. The theatrical ensemble comprised Max, Curley, Nancy, Fredd, Fee Fee, Mother Hubbard, Crystal Ball, Hep Cat, Montmorency, Cassius, and Leonardo—all roles inhabited by the regular television cast. The stage production was overseen by Sue Nattras, Simon Wincer, and Jim McElroy.
During one live special effect, Gabrielle Hartley sustained serious burns and was subsequently replaced by her understudy; following this incident, her character Crystal Ball was written out of the storyline.
Cancellation and beyond
After completing 555 episodes of thirty minutes each, ATV discontinued the series due to financial considerations. Rival broadcaster ABC TV expressed interest in acquiring the show; however, ATV declined the offer. Consequently, ABC launched the similar series Adventure Island, which featured many of the original cast members and writers.
The program was filmed in black and white and continued to be rebroadcast until colour television was introduced in 1975. John-Michael Howson had pushed for colour filming to enhance international sales potential, but this proposal was rejected by management due to increased costs.
Tedd Dunn, who served as director and costume designer, stayed with Melbourne’s Channel 0 after the show's conclusion. He portrayed Fredd Bear—Channel 0’s equivalent to Nine Network’s Humphrey B. Bear—on Fredd Bear's Breakfast-A-Go-Go two years later. Dunn’s Fredd Bear costume is currently housed at the National Film & Sound Archive. Characters Cassius and Leonardo also appeared on Breakfast-A-Go-Go, alongside actor Colin McEwan and newsreader Michael McCarthy. Fee Fee, who remained silent without Howson’s voice work, was frequently performed by Caroline McCarthy, Michael’s spouse. Max Bartlett continued his career in television production in Western Australia, contributing to programs such as Fat Cat and Friends and The Underground Video Show.
In 2004, Nancy Cato reflected on Magic Circle Club during Bob Downe's The Way We Were episode titled "Kids' TV."
Archival remnants
The NFSA has preserved 198 episodes of The Magic Circle Club, maintaining access to this significant Australian children’s television series.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1965 Australian television series debuts
- 1967 Australian television series endings
- Network 10 original programming
- Australian children's television series
- Australian television shows featuring puppetry
- Television shows set in Victoria (state)
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian preschool education television series